Rope knife



G. A. MQNTGOMERY ROPE KNIFE 'Filed Feb. 25, 1924 uafmmw. 755 @7M/@MQ dii-0172195.51

Patented Dec.. 14, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,610,699 PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAV'US A. MONTGOMERY, OF TITUSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO TITUS- VILLE FORGE COMPANY, F TIT'SVILLE FENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND.

ROPE KNIFE.

Application filed relmiaifyv 25, 192,4. seran No. 694,854.

This invention relates to improvements in rope-knives of the type employed in connection with gas and oil well apparatus for cutting the cables from tools or other appliances which have become stuck or embedded in the wells during the drilling operations.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a simple, compact and efficient tool of this character 'in which the cutters and 1U ar mechanism are so organized and arranged that they constitute a self-.contained unit.

Another object is to provide a rope-knife which is reliable in operation and whose if parts are so constructed and organized that they Can be readily assembled and dismemf' bered.

in the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the im- 'U proved rope-knife, showing it in operating position on the rope or cable. Figure `2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section thereof, the parts being shown in posit-ion preparatory to cutting the cable. Figure 8 eff .is View similar to Fig. 2, showing the position of the parts after the cutting operation. Figure 4 is a vertical section taken in the plane of line 4 4, Fig. 3. Figures 5 and 6 are horizontal sections on the correspondingly-numbered lines in Fig. 2. 'Figure 7 is a horizontal section on line 7--7, Fig. 3. Figure 8 is a perspective view of one ot the cutters. Figure 9 is a horizontal section on line 9--9, Fig. 2. Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional front view of the upper end of the tool.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

'in the preferred embodiment of the inventi on illustrated in the drawings, the same comprises an elongated cylindrical body 10 having a vertical bore 11 extending from its upper end to a point near the lower end thereof, and a longitudinal rope-slot or passage 12 in its side extending from end to end of said body and opening into its bore. The purpose of this slot is to permit the insertion and removal oit the rope or cable 13, carrying the customary rope socket 14, into and out oi the bore of the body 10. Operaltively connected to the upper end of the latter and @in substantially vertical alinement .therewith is a jarniernber 15 provided et its lower end with a plunger or knocking head 16, slidably litted within the body-bore 11 and terminating at its upper end in a screwthreaded pin 17 to v,which the customary operating cable 18 is connected. This jar member, together with its plunger, is like` wise provided in its side with a longitudinal slot 19 for the passage of the cable 13.

The upper end of the tool-body is provided with an externally-threaded neck 2O for receiving a cap 21 having an opening 22 in its top through which the shank of the jar-member extends and a vertical slot 23 in its side which normally registers wit-h the slots 12 and 19 of the body and jar member, respectively. The downwardly-facing stop shoulder 24 formed on the cap between its threaded y'portion and its opening 22 serves to limit the longitudinal movement o the tool-body and jar member relative to each other, said tool-body being suspended from the jar knocking-head, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

At its lower end the tool-body 10 is provided with a substantially circular knifeopening, recess or chamber 25 which is disposed horizontally or at right angles to the body-bore 11 and intersects or communicates with it, the diameter of such opening being substantially the same as that of said bore. As shown in Figs. 4 and 7, this knife-opening is bored or drilled from the front side of the tool-body and is closed at its rear end, said opening being located in that side of the body at approximately right angles to the side containing the cable-slot 12. A suitable closure preferably in the form of aretaining plug 26L is applied to this opening, being held in place by screws 27 or other-appropriate means. The outer side of this plug is preferably flush with the exterior of the tool-body and for this purpose is shaped to the contour thereof, while its inner side is flat and projects slightly beyond the bodybore 11 wit-h the top edge of such projecting portion substantially flush withv the bottom of the bore.

Mounted within the knife-opening are opi posing cutters or knives 28 which are arcuate in shape, their outer faces bearing against the sides of the opening for movement in a circular path toward and from each other.v For the purpose of guiding the knives in their movement ,inte and out 0f their cutting position, they are provided at their opposite ends with arcuate tongues 29 which engage corresponding races or grooves 30 formed in the end wall or bottom of the knife-opening 25 and in the inner side of the plug 26. The latter serves to retain the knives within their opening and prevents their displacement lengthwise of said opening. The removal ot the knives is effected by simply detaching the plug. As shown in Figs. 2 and 7, one oi' the knives extends across the adjacent portion of the cable-slot 12 in the body 10, thus constit-uting a closure for the slot and preventing accidental displacement oi the cable while being` operated upon by the cutters. In inserting and removing the cajble into and out oi the bore 11 of the tool-body, it is necessary to first remove that cutter facing the open or slotted side of said bocy, which operation is readily7 eiected by detaching the plug 26 and withdrawing such cutter `l'rom its opening.

By mounting the cutters in the manner shown and described, they are brought close to the bottom oit the tool-body, whereby the cable 13 can be severed close to its attaching socket 14, leaving only a short stub of cable which will not interfere with the tools afterward employed for jarring the wedged tool loose.

The length of the cutters is such, that in their open or distended position shown in Fig. 2, they project above the bottom of the bore 11 of the tool-body, so that when given a blow, their cutting edges will come toget-her to sever the cable 13, as shown in Fig. 3. in order to protect the cut-ting edges oi the cutters as they abut against each other, the same are provided at Jtheir ends with 'flanges 31 whose late al abutment iaces 32 are substantially iiush with said cutting edges, as shown in and o.

Slidably mounted in the lower end of the body-bore 11 and disposed between the jar knocking` head 1G and the cutters 2S is a blow-receiving member or sleeve 33 which normally rests on the upper blunt edges orP said cutters, shown in Fig. This sleeve receives the blows from the jar-head and in turn transmits them to the. cutters, thereby taking the direct blows from the latter and preventing them from breakage or other in jury. A. longitudinal slot 34C is provided in the sleeve 33 which is adaptedfor alinement'with the slots 12 and 19 of the body and j ar member, respectively. ln order to break register with the body-slot 12 and avoid accidental displacement ofA the cable 13, said blowreceiving sleeve is capable of turning in its bore. For thisV purpose, its exterior is provided with teeth with which an appropriate tool, inserted through the slot ofthe body 1Q, may be engaged for turning the sleeve to bring its slot into or out of register with said body-slot. The upper screw 2, which holds the plug 26 in place, is also used for locking this sleeve in a set position.

The use and mode of operation of' this device is as follows:

In applying the tool to the cable 13, the plug 2G is removed to enable the cutter tacing the slot 12 of the body l()I to be withdrawn, and the sleeve 33 is turned to bring its slot into register with said body-slot. The tool can now be placed over the cable in the position shown in Fig. 1, a'ftcr which the sleeve is turned to its initial or locked position and the removed cutter is inserted in its opening 25 and held in place by the retaining plug. By tightening the screws 27 more or less, the cutters may be held with suliicient friction to hold them in their open position free 'from contact with the cable. and the sleeve 33 is likewise held in its upper position, shown in Fig. 2. The pin 1T oit' the jar member 15 is now connected with the operating cable 18, in which position the tool-body is suspended from said jar member r with the knocking head 16 of the latter' in 't' ,contact with the stop-shoulder 2Liof thc cap 21.

lVhen the tool is lowered on the cable 3 for the purpose of cutting the same from the drilling tool`r which had become lost or 9J stuck in the well-bore, the bottom oi' the tool body 10 strikes the top of the rope-sockct 'il to which the drill-tool is connected. Vl`he sudden impact of the tool-body against the rope-socket causes the jar-member to drive downwardly against the top oi the blow-receiving sleeve which in turn forces the cutters 23 toward each other to sever the cable close to the neck of the rope-socket.

For the purpose of providing a lull bearing surface tor the jar member in the cap 21, its slot L-l is preferably provided with i: removable filler-block 36 held in place against lateral and vertical displacement h. screws 3T, 33. is shown in Fig. it), the width or the upper po,i ion ot' the body-sioV 12 and the co1 sponning cap-slot is 'atei' than that ot its lower portion. when4 y au upwardly-tacing seat or slmulder 3S) is formed on the body upon which the lower end of the filler-block rests. The inner face of the lower portion of this filler-block is threaded, shown at il0, to the threaded neck of the body 10. ln order to prevent the cable 13 from hindi 4 at the point where it passes through the co- 21, the lillcr-bloclr may ided upper portion of its inner race i groove l1, lt will be ui :ood in ap ing and removing the ro e-knife to from the cable. it Yis necessarv that the er-block be detached from the cap.

To prevent the jar member from turningz in the tool-body and thus'retain the slots l) and l2L ofl these parts in register at all times the cap 2l is provided With a pin or key i2 which engages a longitudinal key-Way i3 in said jar member, as shown in Fig. 2.

From the foregoing, it Will be understood that I have produced a rope-knife in which its various parts are constructed and arranged to be housed Within the tool-body, thereby producing a unitary structure free from parts separate from or Supplementary to the tool. Furtliiermore, this improved tool is simple and compact in construction, its parts being so constructed and organized that they are readily accessible for adjustment and repair.

l claim as my invention:

1. A rope-limite o1 the character described, comprising an integral body structure having` a longitudinal. bore and a transverse cylindrical cutter-opening at its loiver end intersecting said bore and closed at one. end, a cutter insertable endivise in said opening and guided therein for movement in an arcuate path, the upper end of said cutter extending into said bore and detachable means applied to the body over its opening for retaining said cutter therein.

Q.. A rope-imite of the character described, comprising an integral body structure having a longitudinal bore and a transverse cylindrical cutter-opening intersecting` said bore and closed at one end, a cutter insert* able endivise in said opening and guided therein ior movementin an arcuate path, the upper end ot said cutter extending `into said bore, the inner end ot the cutter bearing against the closed end oi said opening, and a removable closure for said opening bearing against the outer end oit said cut-ter tor retaining the same in place.

3. A. rope-knife of the character described, comprising a body having a longitudinal bore and a transverse cutter-opening intersectinff said bore and closed at one end, a movable cutter insertable endwise in said opening and normally having its upper end projecting into the lower end oli' said bore, the inner end of the cutter bearing against the opposing closed end oi' said opening, a removable closure -for said opening bearing against the outer end of the cutter i'or retaining the same in place, and means operable in the bore for actuating the cutter.

a. A rope-knife of the character described, comprising a body having a longitudinal bore, a rope-slot in one side thereof opening into said bore and a transverse, cylindrical cutter-opening intersecting the bore at its lower end and positioned at right angles to said rope slot, a cutter movably mounted in the cutter opening and extending across the rope-slot to forni a closure therefor, and means operablev in the longitudinal boreA for actuating said cutter, the upper end ,of the latter normally extending into said bore.

5. A rope-imite oit the character described,

comprising a body having a longitudinal bore, a rope-slot in one side thereof eXtending from end to end of said `body and a substantially cylindrical cutter-opening, the latter being located beneath said bore in axial line therewith and positioned at right angles to said rope-slot, oppositely-tacing cutters mounted in said cutter-opening 'for movement toward and from each other, one oi the. cut-t fs facing the rope-slot and torming` a closure for the same, and means operable in the longitudinal bore for actuating said cutters. y

G. A ropeknife ot the character described, comprising a body having a longitudinal bore and a cylindrical cutter-opening ex.- tending part Way through the same, the cutter opening intersecting the bore at its lower end and having its axis arranged at substantially right angles to that oit said bore, oppositely-facing cutters mounted in said cutter-opening for movement toivard and from each other, complementary means on the cutters and the bottom wall of the opening i'or guiding said cutters in a. circular path in their opening, and means operable in t-he longitudinal bore for actuating said cutters.

7. A. rope-knife of the character described, con'iprising a body having a longitudinal bore and a cylindrical cutter-opening, .the latter intersecting the bore at its lower end and having its axis arranged at substantially right angles to that of said bore, oppositely- 'facing cutters detachably mounted in said cutter-opening for movement toward and from each other, each of said cutters bearing at one end against the bottom Wall of the opening, a retaining plug detachably connected to the front end of said cutteropening` and abutting against the opposite ends oit the cutters, and means operable in the longitudinal bore ion actuating said cutters.

S. A rope-knife of the character described, comprising a Vbody havin@ a longitudinal bore and a. cylindrical cutter-opening, -the latter intersecting 'the bore at its loiver end and having its axis arranged at substantially right angles to that of said bore, a cutter movable in a circular pathl in its opening and providedV at its opposite ends with tongue-s, a retaining plug detachably'coiv nccted to the. front end ot said cutter-opening. the bottom ivall 01' the latter andthe opgosing` tace ot said retaining plug having circumferential grooves for receiving the tongues ot said cutter, and means operable in the longitudinal bore :tor actuating said cutter.

9. .A rope-imite of the character described.y comprising an integral body structure having a longitudinal bore and a. cylindrical cutter-opening, the latter intersecting said bore at its lower end with its arranged at substantially right angles to that of said bore, a cutter movably mounted in said cutter-opening and normally projecting into the lower end of said bore, and a member extending into and guided on said body for movement relatively t-hereto and having al knocking-head at its lower end operating in said body-bore fory actuating said cutter.

l0. A rope-knife of the character described, comprising a body having a longitudinal bore and a cutter-opening, the latter being located beneath said bore with its axis arranged at substantially right angles to that of said bore, a cutter movably mounted in said cutter-opening and normally projecting into the lower end of said bore, al jar member guided on said body for movement relatively thereto and having a knockinghead at its lower end operating in said body-bore, and a blow-receiving` member interposed between said jar head and the bottom of said bore, said member normally resting upon the projecting upper end ot said cutter.

ll. A rope-knife of the character described, comprising a body having a longitudinal bore, a rope-slotl in one side thereolr extending from end to end of said body and a cutter-opening, the latter being located beneath said bore with its axis arranged at substantially right angles to that of said bore, a cutter movably mounted in said cutter-opening and normally projecting into the lower end ot said bore, a jar member movable lengthwise relative to vthe body and having a. knocking-head at its lower end operating in said body-bore, and a rotatable blow-receiving member interposed between said jar head and the bottom'of said bore and normally resting upon the projecting upper end of said cutter, said jar member, its knockinghead and said blow-receiving member having slots arranged to register with the rope-slot of said body.

l2. A rope-knife of the character described, comprising a cylindrical body having-a rope passage and a cutter-receiving chamber opening into the lower end of said body, a cutter mounted in said chamber for movement in a substantially circular path, the upper end of said cutter projecting into said body, a jar member operating in the latter for actuating said cutter and having a rope passage registering with that ot said body, and a rotatable blow-receiving member interposed between said cutter-receiving chamber and said ar member and normally engaging the projected upper end of the cutter, said blow-receiving member having its exterior wall provided with teeth and a rope-slot arranged to make and break register with the rope-passage of said body.

13. A rope-knife oi the character described, comprising a cylindrical body having a bore open at one side to form a ropepassage and a cutter-receiving chamber opening into the lower end of said body, a cap applied to the open upper end of the latter having a. rope passage registering with the corresponding passage ot said body and an integral shoulder facing said body-bore, a cut-ter mounted in said chamber for movement in a. substantially circular path, and a jar knocking head, including a rope-passage, operating in the bore of said body for actuating said cutter and having a stem extending through the top of said cap, the body being normally suspended from said jar knocking head with the latter abutting against the shoulder ot' said cap.

le. A rope-knife of' the character described, comprising a cylindrical body having a bore open at one side to `torni a ropepassage and a cutter-receiving chamber opening into the lower end of said body, a cutter mounted in said chamber, a jar member movable lengthwise relative to the body and having a knocking-head at its lower end operating in said body-bore for actuating said cutter, said jar member having a rope-passage in its side in register with the body-passage, a cap applied to the open upper end of the body having an opening in its top for guiding said jar member,

and a rope-passage in its side registering with the corresponding passages ot said jar member and said body, and a removable filler-block applied tothe rope-passage of said cap :tor normally closing the same.

l5. A rope-knife of the character described, comprising a cylindrical body having a bore open at one side to form a ropepassage and a cutter-receiving chamber opening into the lower end ot said body, a cutter mounted in said chamber, a jar member movable lengthwise relative to the body and having a knocking-head at its lower end operating in said body-bore ttor actuating said cutter, said j ar member having a rope-passage in its side in register with the body-passage, a cap applied to the open upper end-of said body having an opening in its top for guiding said jar member, and a. rope-passage in its side registering with the corresponding passages ot' said jar member and sai-:l body, the rope-passage of the cap and the adjacent upper portion oi the registering body-passage being wider than that of the lower portion of said lastnamed passage to form an upwardly-facing shoulder on the body, a iiller-bleck fitted in the cap-passage and the registering-portion of the body-passage and engaging said shoulder, and means for detachably holding said filler-block in position. i

16. A rope-knife of the character described, comprising a cylindrical body having a bore open at one side to form a ropepassage and a cutter-receiving chamber opening into the lower end of said body,

L cutter mounted in Said chamber, a jar member movable lengthwise relative to the body and having a knocking-head at its lower end operating in said bodyebore for actuating said cutter, said jar member having a rope-passage in its side in register with the body-passage, a cap applied to the open upper end of the body having an opening in its top through which said ar memberA Vextends and a rope-passage in its side registering with the corresponding passages of said jar member and said body, and means for preventing turning or" said jar member relative to the body and its Cap.

GUSTAVUS A. MONTGOMERY. 

